The plunge not only indicates weaker demand from the consumers but also languishing supply form smartphone makers. Only 51 new smartphones made their debut during the period, down 19% compared with a year before.

China’s smartphone shipment (Image credit:MIIT)

Chinese smartphone makers have a grip on the local market with the sales of over 33.49 million handsets or a predominant 85.7%. Of the total newly released devices, 45 were from Chinese smartphone makers, accounting for 88.2% of the total. But the overall drop affected everyone in the field, shipment from Chinese makers dipped 18% year-on-year.

Android system still dominates China, representing a 92.9% of the smartphones shipped in the period.

As a satuating market slows down the growth, more Chinese smartphone makers are exploring opportunities in the overseas market. Leading players like Xiaomi, Vivo, and OPPO have seen momentum in South East Asian markets and Huawei in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.